Voice of OC’s News and Arts & Culture teams both won first place at the OC Press Club Awards on June 30.
County Reporter Nick Gerda won first place for Best Environmental Reporting for OC’s oil spill coverage.
“That’s what good local journalism is – doing the groundwork, doing the research and making the information available not only to the public but also to decision makers. Voice of OC brought to light important facts at the aftermath of a very serious oil spill that would have lawmakers asking the necessary questions as this investigation continues.
OC Press Club Judge
Gerda also won first prize for best health and wellness story for her coverage of local COVID fund expenses.
On the Arts side of the store, Editor Paul Hodgins received the top award for Best Music/Entertainment Critic.
It’s a beautiful, elegant handwriting. I loved the descriptions and the perfect prose. Outstanding work!
Noted the judges of hodgins work
Fellow Tracy Wood Angelina Hicks received a second award in the Health and Wellness category for its story about how Orange County is preparing for climate change.
Here is the full list of winners
Best Environmental Report
First place: Nick Gerda
Entry: ‘Extremely Disturbing’: Oil Pipeline Recordings Obtained by OC Voice Invite Questions as Congress Begins to Probe
Comments: This is what good local journalism is: doing the groundwork, researching and making information available not only to the public but also to decision makers. Voice of OC has brought to light important facts in the wake of a very serious oil spill that would have lawmakers asking the necessary questions as this investigation continues.
Best Health/Wellness Story
First place: Nick Gerda
Entrance: OC supervisors spent more money on Covid response to sheriff’s staff than health workers
Comments: well-researched, engaging article that sheds light on an important topic.
Second place: Angelina Hicks
Entry: “What are cities in Orange County doing to prepare for climate change?”
Best Music/Entertainment Critic
First place: Paul Hodgins
Hall: An evening with Renée Fleming is the perfect way to celebrate the normalcy we crave.
Comments: This is beautiful, elegant handwriting. I loved the descriptions and the perfect prose. Outstanding work!
Best Pandemic Reporting
Second place: Spencer Custodio
Entrance: Every county in So Cal offers residents public updates on Covid, except OC
Comments: The author does a good job detailing the dangers of not keeping the community informed about the county’s response to the coronavirus and updates on the number of cases.
Journalist of the Year
Third place: Spencer Custodio
Best Music/Entertainment Story
3rd placeRichard Chang
Entrance: Symphony on the Go reaches new audiences
Best Arts and Culture Story
3rd place Eric Marchese
Entrance: The arts in California could see a renaissance thanks to a huge influx of public funds
Best Pandemic Reporting
3rd place Eric Marchese
Entrance: Live theater at OC – and what the pandemic has caused
